Pregame: Illinois vs Michigan, Wednesday, February 16, 7:30pm CT, BTN

[OrangeFever]

If there's any excitement left to this season, it's a dull and fading luster. Illinois squeaking into the tourney means little to me. In fact, I consider it an embarrassment for the program to sit on the bubble now most years and either just get in or just miss the tournament. This team is not poised to make any noise in either the NCAA or the NIT.

To get excited about just making the NCAA's, to me, sets the bar really low. But I do admit the team's history since 2006 leads in that direction.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by NV Illini 74

Tupper's got a good suggestion:



http://www.herald-review.com/app/blogs/blogs/?p=3103

The only thing I don't get is why bp gets to pick them. Because he has been scoring a lot of points lately? The only guy I see hustle consistently is Cole...let him pick (fwiw I bet he would pick bp, dj, ml, and......) pretty bad that I can't even think of a lineup of 5 that I KNOW will give great effort. I really don't envy the coaches

[Mr Bread]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

Good post. This team does have talent, despite what everyone thinks. And as others have pointed out, the field is filled with mediocre teams this year. Who's not to say we can't go on a S16 run or even further? But we have to get in first.

The fact that since January 11th we haven't won more than one game in a row. We have managed to lose two in a row twice though. So there's that. It's not happening with this team. It didn't happen last year and it's not going to magically turn around this year. Sad but true. We'll stumble through the remainder of this season and be lucky to go 3-3 and maybe win one in the BTT. That likely gets us a first-round exit in the NCAA tournament.

[drumanimal]

Our track record is not looking good. Plus DMac has already checked out. If we win two more games this season I'll be surprised. 19 wins will not get you in the Tourney.

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

The only thing I don't get is why bp gets to pick them. Because he has been scoring a lot of points lately? The only guy I see hustle consistently is Cole...let him pick (fwiw I bet he would pick bp, dj, ml, and......) pretty bad that I can't even think of a lineup of 5 that I KNOW will give great effort. I really don't envy the coaches

Perhaps because the primary quantitative measure of hustle and extra effort is the Matto chart which Brandon leads by a wide margin. Maybe that's why :rolleyes:

[UncleBob]

Originally Posted by smalltowner

Did anyone else notice that we had only 4 points in the first 4:45 of the Minnesota game yet we seem to think that lineup started well. I think we see what we want to see.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sure not seeing what I want to see.

[ChampaignLou]

Originally Posted by OrangeFever

If there's any excitement left to this season, it's a dull and fading luster. Illinois squeaking into the tourney means little to me. In fact, I consider it an embarrassment for the program to sit on the bubble now most years and either just get in or just miss the tournament. This team is not poised to make any noise in either the NCAA or the NIT.

This team showed some of its potential early this year and because of the mediocrity of the college ranks, is closer to making a run if McCamey can get back on track. On the positive side, they have played most teams close, but need to find a way to close out games. I was going to give up on the season but I still find myself coming back. I can't get Illinois out of my blood.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Perhaps because the primary quantitative measure of hustle and extra effort is the Matto chart which Brandon leads by a wide margin. Maybe that's why :rolleyes:

Maybe they should take matto points away when u turn the ball over or take a bad shot. That would tighten up that race in a hurry

[IlliniRunIn07]

Originally Posted by OrangeFever

If there's any excitement left to this season, it's a dull and fading luster. Illinois squeaking into the tourney means little to me. In fact, I consider it an embarrassment for the program to sit on the bubble now most years and either just get in or just miss the tournament. This team is not poised to make any noise in either the NCAA or the NIT.

To get excited about just making the NCAA's, to me, sets the bar really low. But I do admit the team's history since 2006 leads in that direction.

OF, you have stated in numerous posts over the past few days that you're not "excited" about this team anymore. It's getting old, man. If you're not excited about this team, stop watching, stop posting here, stop caring. I usually enjoy your posts because they're eloquently stated, well thought out, and usually fair. But you're quickly becoming a type of troll, sucking away any optimism that any poster here has. This season has been disappointing for sure, but there is a BIGBIGBIG difference between barely squeaking into the tournament and just barely missing the tournament. So until it's blatantly obvious that we won't be making the tournament, I won't stop being excited. I suggest you do the same.

[OrangeFever]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

OF, you have stated in numerous posts over the past few days that you're not "excited" about this team anymore. It's getting old, man. If you're not excited about this team, stop watching, stop posting here, stop caring. I usually enjoy your posts because they're eloquently stated, well thought out, and usually fair. But you're quickly becoming a type of troll, sucking away any optimism that any poster here has. This season has been disappointing for sure, but there is a BIGBIGBIG difference between barely squeaking into the tournament and just barely missing the tournament. So until it's blatantly obvious that we won't be making the tournament, I won't stop being excited. I suggest you do the same.

Just can't do it with this bunch. Getting in is better than not, but not by much. These guys are pretenders. I flat lined on this team awhile ago. I'll keep posting, though. Sorry about that.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

Maybe they should take matto points away when u turn the ball over or take a bad shot. That would tighten up that race in a hurry

I'm pretty sure most of the roster would be in the negatives if that were to happen.

I don't know how you don't see the effort from Paul. It's clear to me that he is the best player on the team right now - on both ends of the court. His effort is there and he's one of the few guys who seems to have bought in. He's transformed himself over the past 2 months. I'm really looking forward to what he brings next year when he can take full leadership of this team. I think if he maintains his path he could right the ship for this program.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by ChampaignLou

This team showed some of its potential early this year and because of the mediocrity of the college ranks, is closer to making a run if McCamey can get back on track. On the positive side, they have played most teams close, but need to find a way to close out games. I was going to give up on the season but I still find myself coming back. I can't get Illinois out of my blood.

Looking back do you really think they showed potential. The Texas team they played close was not this Texas team. The UNC team they beat was at a point where they looked to be in danger of missing the tourney. Gonzaga is not Gonzaga this season.

[smalltowner]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

I'm pretty sure most of the roster would be in the negatives if that were to happen.

I don't know how you don't see the effort from Paul. It's clear to me that he is the best player on the team right now - on both ends of the court. His effort is there and he's one of the few guys who seems to have bought in. He's transformed himself over the past 2 months. I'm really looking forward to what he brings next year when he can take full leadership of this team. I think if he maintains his path he could right the ship for this program.

I tend to agree with you and don't mind overlooking his mistakes. I worry that Weber's benchings and public criticisms will harness that athletisism in the future and he won't develop. Thank goodness he didn't have time to get in the heads of Deron, Dee, and Luther.

[pizzaman]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

OF, you have stated in numerous posts over the past few days that you're not "excited" about this team anymore. It's getting old, man. If you're not excited about this team, stop watching, stop posting here, stop caring. I usually enjoy your posts because they're eloquently stated, well thought out, and usually fair. But you're quickly becoming a type of troll, sucking away any optimism that any poster here has. This season has been disappointing for sure, but there is a BIGBIGBIG difference between barely squeaking into the tournament and just barely missing the tournament. So until it's blatantly obvious that we won't be making the tournament, I won't stop being excited. I suggest you do the same.

Well said and accurate.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

I'm pretty sure most of the roster would be in the negatives if that were to happen.

I don't know how you don't see the effort from Paul. It's clear to me that he is the best player on the team right now - on both ends of the court. His effort is there and he's one of the few guys who seems to have bought in. He's transformed himself over the past 2 months. I'm really looking forward to what he brings next year when he can take full leadership of this team. I think if he maintains his path he could right the ship for this program.

I never said I dont see effort from BP...I love BP. My point was just that Cole has been our most consistent player.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by smalltowner

I tend to agree with you and don't mind overlooking his mistakes. I worry that Weber's benchings and public criticisms will harness that athletisism in the future and he won't develop. Thank goodness he didn't have time to get in the heads of Deron, Dee, and Luther.

:rolleyes: All 3 improved tremendously in their 2 years under Weber. Deron credits him with a lot of his sucess. I don't mind criticizing the coach, but statements like these are just asinine.

[ChanIllini]

Originally Posted by OrangeFever

If there's any excitement left to this season, it's a dull and fading luster. Illinois squeaking into the tourney means little to me. In fact, I consider it an embarrassment for the program to sit on the bubble now most years and either just get in or just miss the tournament. This team is not poised to make any noise in either the NCAA or the NIT.

To get excited about just making the NCAA's, to me, sets the bar really low. But I do admit the team's history since 2006 leads in that direction.

Exactly how I feel! What's the big deal about making the tourney when you're so bad, you have to be on the bubble every year?

It's not like you're going to make the tourney & advance anywhere!

[ChanIllini]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

OF, you have stated in numerous posts over the past few days that you're not "excited" about this team anymore. It's getting old, man. If you're not excited about this team, stop watching, stop posting here, stop caring. I usually enjoy your posts because they're eloquently stated, well thought out, and usually fair. But you're quickly becoming a type of troll, sucking away any optimism that any poster here has. This season has been disappointing for sure, but there is a BIGBIGBIG difference between barely squeaking into the tournament and just barely missing the tournament. So until it's blatantly obvious that we won't be making the tournament, I won't stop being excited. I suggest you do the same.

Look at the post game threads, how many fans do you see "excited" about this team right now?

Why single out OF, there are alot more frustrated fans than just him and everyone has a right to their feelings about the team!

[elemme]

Originally Posted by ChanIllini

Look at the post game threads, how many fans do you see "excited" about this team right now?

Why single out OF, there are alot more frustrated fans than just him and everyone has a right to their feelings about the team!

I saw positive things happen in the Purdue game but it is hardly worth reading this site because it is so negative. I cant tell you how many times I leave this site for some other one just to get away from the same moans and groans after a loss. I swear people here prefer losing than winning.

All it would take to turn this team around is to get dmac back in the game. It is not going to happen over night but there are still plenty of games to go.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by ChanIllini

Look at the post game threads, how many fans do you see "excited" about this team right now?

Why single out OF, there are alot more frustrated fans than just him and everyone has a right to their feelings about the team!

Good point, let's add you to the list as well It get sold reading the same posts over and over and over and...from the same posters. We get that your disappointed, frustrated, done with the season so you don't have post it every time.

Yes you're entitled to your opinion on the team and no one is saying you aren't. But the same piss and moan tone of every single post gets old.

I also find it funny that I and others get ridiculed when we critique negative posters and get told that everyone has a right to be disappointed and frustrated yet it seems to be okay for the negative nancies to come here and critique people who post something positive about still being excited about this team...I think that's called a double standard :rolleyes:

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by elemme

I saw positive things happen in the Purdue game but it is hardly worth reading this site because it is so negative. I cant tell you how many times I leave this site for some other one just to get away from the same moans and groans after a loss. I swear people here prefer losing than winning.

All it would take to turn this team around is to get dmac back in the game. It is not going to happen over night but there are still plenty of games to go.

Of course they do because then it plays into their feelings about Weber and how this season has gone. If there are positives then there's nothing for them get all riled up about like they've been able to for the past 4-6 weeks so they just don't post anything.

That's why after a big win the postgame thread is about 5-8 pages but after a bad loss, or any loss for that matter, the postgame thread is @ least 10 pages long and that's within the first 24 hours.

[illiniphil85]

Good to see Mr. Sunshine back attacking a poster for attacking a poster that attacked a poster.

[pyrak]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

Looking back do you really think they showed potential. The Texas team they played close was not this Texas team. The UNC team they beat was at a point where they looked to be in danger of missing the tourney. Gonzaga is not Gonzaga this season.

I live in Texas so see them play more than Illinios, I have no clue why you are saying it's not the same Texas team. Thompson had one of his best games of the year.

North Carolina's only real good win was less than a week after we beat them.

Gonzaga is down this year.

[SISB]

Originally Posted by pyrak

I live in Texas so see them play more than Illinios, I have no clue why you are saying it's not the same Texas team. Thompson had one of his best games of the year.

North Carolina's only real good win was less than a week after we beat them.

Gonzaga is down this year.

texas has markedly improved as the season went on. impossible to say the same for illinois (as has been the case the past several years).

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by illiniphil85

Good to see Mr. Sunshine back attacking a poster for attacking a poster that attacked a poster.

Good to be back! Glad you could add something of substance to this discussion as well.

Originally Posted by pyrak

I live in Texas so see them play more than Illinios, I have no clue why you are saying it's not the same Texas team. Thompson had one of his best games of the year.

North Carolina's only real good win was less than a week after we beat them.

Gonzaga is down this year.

I agree in that Texas looked pretty darn good when they played us and immediately after. Just think, this team went toe to toe with the team that is about to be #1 in the country just a couple of months ago. Talk about two seasons that went opposite directions after that game.